Informal traders are the jewels of the potato industry said Willie Jacobs – Chief Executive Officer of Potatoes South Africa. Our statistics reveal that 66% of all potatoes sold at national fresh produce markets are channelled to the informal sector he highlighted. One can only imagine how this valuable stakeholder group was affected by lockdown regulations during alert level 5.
“Over the last three years (2018 -2020) South Africa produced approximately 2.5 million tonnes of potatoes annually in 16 different production regions across South Africa. South Africa is one of a few countries in the world that can supply fresh potatoes all year round. At primary level, the industry is worth R7.5 billion whilst at secondary level R26 billion… The role that the potato industry plays in positively contributing towards issues of poverty, hunger and unemployment should not be underestimated.”
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To read the entire news article, titled “The informal trader – a stakeholder the potato industry can rely on”, as published on 19 May 2021 at Grond to Mond’s website, click here.